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Friday, 26 June 2009
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"Be the Example!"
Dr. Joe Savage, President, Winners Influence
June 26, 2009 - Devotion
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YOU are in influencer! Regardless if you think you are or not, the fact remains that you have influence. Many people miss making a difference on this planet because they either a) don't recognize their incredible capacity to significantly persuade others toward God or b) they simply don't try.
I want to encourage you to take five minutes and truly interrogate your life to see if you are maximizing the influence God has given you to impact others for Christ. Pray and ask God to reveal how you can further enhance your influence. Take a moment to let the Holy Spirit search your core, your ambitions, and your actions to reveal how you are doing.
The Apostle Paul said this: "Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you" (Phil. 3:17). You see, Paul understood that he was to be an example. I pray that you and I can boldly say the same to others - that they can follow our example!
God has given you life on earth so that you can bring Him pleasure and you can influence others toward a meaningful relationship with God through Christ. Anything short of this is really a life for self.
Use your personality. Use your finances. Use your skill and intellect. Use your connections and relationships. Use your platform and place of persuasion. God wants to use YOU to impact the world! The reality is; however, influence starts with those directly in contact with you! How are you doing?
Today's Prayer
"Lord, search my heart and reveal in me the best way to use my influence for you. Father give me the desire, the ability, and the persuasion that I need to make a significant difference for you. Lord, help me to remember that I am always an influence and please help me to especially maximize my influence especially with those I have direct contact with. Thank you for giving me the marching orders to influence others toward you. I see this as a wonderful honor. In Jesus' name. Amen."
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Friday, 19 June 2009
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"Go Said Jesus!"
Dr. Joe Savage, President, Winners Influence
June 19, 2009 - Devotion
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"Go make disciple of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" - Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20
This morning I have the privilege of speaking about Jesus Christ to lots of teenagers at the Alive Festival in Ohio. Joining me will be Todd Blackledge from ESPN College Game Day and Marzell Pink, a high school football and wrestling coach in statistically the most crime ridden neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio. Though they come from different walks, they both have chosen to take advantage of the invitation to speak about their faith and try to influence others for Christ. This is honorable and pleases God. How do I know this? Because Jesus told us to "Go and make disciple . . ." as we see in the Scripture above.
Back when I was in seminary I had a professor tell me something that I still remember. (Isn't that amazing?!) I was contemplating going on a mission trip and wondering if it were God's will to go or not. The professor said, "Joe, the answer is always to 'go' unless God clearly tells you 'no.'" He is right. We are to always be sharing about Jesus Christ every opportunity we get. And the truth is we get the opportunity everyday!
So my challenge is this - Is God telling you to do something which you have not done? Does He want you to share with someone, but you have not for whatever reason? Is He waiting on you to commit to that opportunity which you have been reluctant to fulfill?
Remember, the answer is always "GO!" What are you waiting for?
Today's Prayer
"Lord, help me to share who you are with others. Help me to say 'yes' to anything that you desire. Help me fulfill your Great Commandment of "Going" as your Word says. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen."
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Friday, 12 June 2009
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"The One Thing that Amazes Jesus"
Dr. Joe Savage, President, Winners Influence
June 12, 2009 - Devotion
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(NOTE: Today's devotion is reprinted from Joe Savage's book entitled, More of God, More of Me. The book is a 40 day guide which gives you six keys toward having an intimate walk with God. If you would like to order a copy, you can email Joe at jsavage@winnersinfluence.com. Books are $24 plus shipping.)
What do you think amazes Jesus? Do you think that there is anything that would make Jesus say, "Wow, that's really great!" This is a tough question when one thinks about all that Jesus has seen from the beginning of time. After all, He has forever been, and He has seen everything that has ever taken place.
If you look in the four gospels, you cannot find a single time that Jesus was impressed by someone's talent, skill, education, genius, or money. No place is He amazed by a person's power, righteousness, or work.
There is only one thing that Jesus was amazed by-people's faith.
An example of this occurred when Jesus was going to a Roman centurion's house to heal his servant. While Jesus was on the way, the centurion told Jesus not to bother in coming for He could simply speak and the servant would be healed. Jesus "was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, 'I tell you, I have not seen such great faith even in Israel.'" (Luke 7:9). Simple faith amazed Jesus!
Many judge their spiritual condition by superficial means. They think that God is pleased because they have attended church, controlled their anger, read their Bible, and overall they are living a cleaner life than before. But is this God's standard of success?
An unprecedented number of churches and pastors are judging their success based on Sunday's attendance, dollars received, and programs offered. Many think as long as they are active, they are faithful. Others think that if their church is growing and full, then God must be pleased.
But are not these just superficial ways to judge both ourselves and our churches? Does God look and say, "Wow! I am amazed by that new church building!" Does He say, "Look at the number of people Gabriel! Isn't that amazing!"
A church can be packed with as many people as the Super Bowl, but that does not mean God is pleased. A person can be a very vocal Christian who helps scores of people, but does that always please God?
God is pleased when you and I act upon simple faith.
Jesus is neither amazed nor impressed by our talent, finances, abilities, skills, organizations, or influences. He is amazed by our faith! As the Holy Scripture says, "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6).
Today's Prayer
"Lord help me to be faithful. Forgive me for defining my success upon worldly means and descriptions. Help me to truly live for you. Help me to do everything I can to please you. I want to do this Lord. I just need your help. Thank you so much for your help and faithfulness to me. In Jesus' name. Amen."
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DR. JOE SAVAGE
AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO YOUR CHURCH, GROUP, SCHOOL, OR COMPANY!
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Spoken more than 1,400 times!
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